The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to launch the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program (the “Program”).
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Program
Deadline: 07/02/2024
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
This NOFO sets forth the requirements for funding for the Primes Program Leads who will deliver the Illinois Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program, as specified by the Energy Transition Act (“Climate and Equitable Jobs Act,” or CEJA), 20 ILCS 730/5-55 Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program.
The Program will support the development and growth of clean energy contractor businesses. Program services will be offered in 3 Program delivery areas:
- Northern Illinois
- Central Illinois
- Southern Illinois
Primes Program Leads will provide services to a small cohort of participant businesses to help them grow their businesses, building their capacity to:
- Apply for appropriate State and private business opportunities.
- Apply for Minority Business Enterprise certification and other relevant certifications and approved vendor status for programs offered by utilities or other entities.
- Prepare bids and responses to Requests for Proposals.
- Become listed in any relevant directories and databases organized by the Department of Central Management Services.
- Connect with and participate in the Illinois Power Agency’s Illinois Shines Program (also referred to as the Adjustable Block Program) and Solar for All Programs and utility programs.
- Apply for financial development assistance programs such as zero-interest and low-interest loans of the Climate Bank.
Services provided by Primes Program Leads to participant contractors will include:
- Business coaching based on the participant’s needs and opportunities to connect with participants in other Department programs
- Dispensing of operational support grants to support the growth of participant contractors (included in Primes Program Leads’ budget). Grants should not exceed $1,000,000 annually and are to be used for upfront project costs and pre-development funding, among others. The amount of the grant will be based on the anticipated project size and scope.
- Providing progressive, one-on-one business coaching based on participant needs. This will include monthly review of participant metrics and advice on achieving goals.
- Assistance in developing business plans, including a 5-year business strategy.
- Technical assistance and training.
- Assignment and supervision of mentors for a minimum of two years by a qualified company in the declared field for participant contractors.
- Connections to Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Services and other Department programs.
Funding Information
Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is up to $Total is,000,000 for the first twelve (12) months of the award. Awards will range from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 for the delivery of the Clean Energy Primes Accelerator Program in each region.
Project Period
The period of performance is expected to be September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
An entity must be registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, at the time of grant application. The portal will verify that the entity:
- Has a valid FEIN number
- Has a valid UEI number
- Has a current SAM.gov registration;
- Is not on the Federal Excluded Parties List
- Is in Good Standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, as applicable
- Is not on the Illinois Stop Payment list (verified once entity is registered in GATA Grantee Portal); and
- Is not on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Provider Sanctions list
For more information, visit DCEO.
